A Day in the life of... with makeachoice

[red_room]

A body collapses on the mat laid out on the safe house floor.

"Ten more." Natasha urges, her back turned to the figure collapsed on her floor. Any groans of protest are promptly ignored. "I've got all afternoon to stand here and we're not eating until we're done." Natasha's got her hair up in a messy bun, black tank top and shorts as she examines her arsenal laid out on the desk in front of her.

"You're getting better at cleaning these. Good job. We'll head out to the shooting range after we eat."

It's a simple arrangement, really. Christopher keeps the apartment tidy (not that there's ever much of a mess unless he makes it) and cleans her gear, and Natasha lets him live there rent free in one of the safest places in the Nexus. She's also taken up becoming his personal trainer. She admires the spirit the kid has, even if she doesn't know him very well, yet.

She looks over her shoulder, a tiny glance and the barest hints of a smile on her face. Natasha still isn't sure why she brought Chris home with her, but she's finding that she doesn't mind the coompany as much as she thought she would.

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[red_room]

"Oh really?" Natasha's got an eyebrow raised, but that's just one of the things she likes about Chris. He's stupidly optimistic and doesn't realize the reality of a situation he's in.

Or chooses not to.

He reminds her the idea of innocence isn't a fairy tale. When he's not also being a colossal idiot.

"What are your long term goals?" This is a good topic to get on. If she knows what he's intending to do, she might be better able to help.

[makeachoice]

"Aside from surviving your Spartan training?" He quirks a smile at her, the ease within himself returning. "I guess make enough to get an apartment. Being here is cool, and I really appreciate you letting me crash here, but a place with Josh would be awesome. Been a dream of ours since we were little to do that." Back then, it was the prospect of having nobody tell them what to do, and they could stay up all night playing video games and eating junk food without a care in the world. Now, it's sort of that plus being more of an adult and being around for the other as he heals-- as they both heal.

"And eventually find a way home, too." That might be it for long term goals - for now, at least.

[red_room]

"...Are you sure working doublehard to support yourself and your friend will be good for either of you?" Natasha has kept her mouth shut on the matter. The first time Chris brought Josh home to let the other clean up Natasha had nearly pulled a gun on the stranger in their safe house the moment she returned.

After a lengthy chat with Chris over not bringing folks to her place...and relenting to Joshua being welcome over once in a while to use their shower and washing machine for his meager possessions, she hadn't brought him up again. But she had watched him. Closely. Enough to see him slip. Enough to see him raving, getting beaten bloody and left in the Plaza.

She's watched the Captain get himself nearly killed for a broken friend. Somehow, she doesn't expect Chris to be that indestructible.

"You should be more careful, around him."

[makeachoice]

And just when he thought this conversation could have been steered towards a light hearted route. "Look..he's-- he's doing his best, okay?" It's not as if Chris is left to ensure that they're both surviving. Josh has his difficulties, but he's been taking care of the blonde just as much as Chris has been looking out for him, he believes.

A tightness in his throat swells. "Why?"

[red_room]

She knows that reaction. The way his heart rate elevates and his shoulders raise. He won't hear a word bad about the man. It's Rogers all over again. Natasha can't help the sigh that escapes her as she finishes her bowl of soup.

"You know why. You wouldn't be getting defensive if you didn't. ...I've watched stronger men than you lose everything because they let sentiment blind them from reality. It'd be a waste if that happened to you."

There really is no point in talking to Chris about this. Natasha sees that now. She'll have to go to the source of her concerns if she wants to change anything. Natasha pushes her plate aside gently.

"It's not really any of my business though. Just...trying to look out for you." He'll either argue or take the out, but Natasha isn't going to provoke him further. She knows a losing tactic when she sees one.

[makeachoice]

The concern is understandable, coming from someone with an outside perspective on the matter. He gets it, but, at the same time, he doesn't want her to have that mindset of Josh, that he's a person to be wary of. He, who's spent the last thirteen years of his life with Josh, who knows that this is the first time he's slipped so dangerously far in dealing with his mental illness, does not need someone who knows so very little to try and convince Chris that Josh is dangerous.

"I'm not getting defensive because I know why," he attempts to explain with an even voice. "I'm defensive because you and everyone else is seeing him at his lowest, and I know people are making assumptions" Then, quietly. "He's sick, Natasha. I really appreciate you looking out for me, but-- you need to trust me on this."

[red_room]

"He is." Natasha agrees with Chris. Nods along. Even looks like she might understand.

And she does. Being sick isn't anyone's fault. It doesn't change the fact that said sickness makes men like Joshua Washington dangerous. Certainly not as dangerous as he could be, but enough to put those close to him in danger. Chris is already teetering on the brink of a very unhealthy relationship with the man, in Natasha's opinion.

Giving everything to help his friend, while receiving nothing in return but more broken promises, lies, and anguish.

"Alright. Unless it's an emergency, I won't bring it up again." With you.

She has a certain hobo shelter to pay a visit to, when she gets the opportunity.

A certain man to pin to the wall and promise every kind of torture to if he hurts Christopher. If he slips too far. She'll put him down. It wouldn't be the first time she's played the Bad Guy in order to do what's right. Wouldn't be the first time she's verbally tormented someone with information she shouldn't have, gotten into their heads and left them a sobbing, broken mess on the floor.

Stronger men than Joshua could ever be have crumbled before her. And the Black Widow has something to protect. He should be grateful he's getting a warning at all. If Chris won't listen, she'll talk to Josh. And if Josh doesn't listen...well. He'll have to conveniently trip into a portal to another world. One where the AV field doesn't apply.

"I promise." Natasha Romanov gives Chris a small smile and begins clearing the table. "Now, to the shooting range?"